It didn’t take long for Jio Jalalon to pick up his first win with his new team, NorthPort.
Traded by his long-time squad Magnolia, which drafted him seven years ago via the special draft for Gilas players, during the off season, Jalalon notched his first win as a Batang Pier on Friday following the team’s dominant 112-93 victory over Terrafirma.
The veteran guard quickly relished the feeling of winning a game, a feeling that was so natural for him when he was playing as a member of the Hotshots, a consistent playoff performer and title contender over the past few years.
“For me naman, as a leader, lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila kung kinakailangan yung chemistry namin sa court, ipakita namin,” said Jalalon. “We need to buy in to the system. Kung anong sabihin ng coach, kailangan sundin namin.”
Coming in to NorthPort as one of the veterans in the squad, Jalalon is embracing the role as mentor to the younger players.
He came into the PBA as a young player seven years ago and played for only one team, the old Purefoods franchise, where he won a championship in the 2018 Governors’ Cup and several times, the Hotshots came so close on winning a few more titles only to be denied by their more superior rivals.
This time as a Batang Pier, Jalalon provides guidance to the next generation of stars.
“Thankful ako sa mga bata. Nanibago rin ako kasi nung nasa Magnolia ako, ako yung bata. Now, ako na yung isa sa matanda. Sobrang thankful ako sa kanila kasi itong mga batang ito, willing manalo. Grabe yung culture nila. Ako naman as a leader on the court, ang mako-contribute ko lang, kung ano yung kaya kong gawin, ibibigay ko sa kanila.”
“As of now, gusto ko lang manalo every game. One game at a time. Alam kong kayang umakyat rin ng NorthPort. Sa ngayon, hindi ko pa masasabi kung hanggang saan, but I want to win every game para makaakyat at matulungan ko yung NorthPort.”
